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SPECIAL ORDER. The individual servings of Carmen's Best ordered by Philippine Airlines for Pope Francis' flight back to Rome. Photo courtesy of Paco Magsaysay

MANILA, Philippines – To serve Pope Francis is an honor, and never did the people behind Carmen’s Best Ice Cream guess that the orders by Philippine Airlines would be on board the special flight carrying Pope Francis back to Rome.

Paco Magsaysay, one of the people behind the brand, said that when they got the order from PAL, they thought it was just for another chartered flight.

“Initially I didn’t know it was for that flight. I thought the Pope had his own plane going and going out, like a special Vatican plane,” he said.

It was only during the delivery that they discovered it would be served during the flight of the PAL plane carrying Pope Francis.

“Wait a second, this could be the flight of the Pope. When it dawned on me, [I thought] ‘This is amazing!' I didn’t imagine that they would get us for that,” Paco said.

PAALAM! Pope Francis waves goodbye to the crowd assembled at the Villamor Airbase as he boards the plane that will bring him to Rome. Photo by Rappler

The flavors: Pistachio, Malted Milk and Brown Butter Almond Brittle. Had they known the order was for the Pope’s flight, says Paco, they would have made his favorite flavor.

“I did soon find out that he loves Dulce de Leche and I would have made him a Dulce de Leche ice cream. They have a special Dulce de Leche that is different from Mexico and other countries. And I think he would like Pistachio. I think most adults like Pistachio. I gave 23 individual Pistachios so hopefully he would eat that, baka matamisan siya sa dalawa (the two flavors might be too sweet for him),” Paco said.

Whether the Pope ate the ice cream or not, Paco said, it was already a privilege for the brand to be chosen as the dessert supplier for the Pope’s flight.

Pope Francis bids well wishers at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City at the end of apostolic visit to the country. Photo by Ben Nabong/Rappler

“It was definitely not a money issue. We are just happy to have been picked. And the idea that even if he is not eating it but the guy next to him is eating and looking at it, that is good enough,” Paco said.

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Welcome to Rappler, a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitally fuelled actions for social change. Rappler comes from the root words "rap" (to discuss) + "ripple" (to make waves).